Novak Djokovic is back on top of the world, both literally and figuratively, after his incredible straight-sets victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday to lift his 22nd Grand Slam title. Djokovic has now made the biggest jump of any man to the top of the rankings and will have his sights set on Steffi Graf’s record for the most weeks at No. 1 in history.
“You never know how much more time you have left, so, of course, I nurture and celebrate these moments of becoming No. 1 again and Grand Slam champion,” the 35-year-old Djokovic said after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) in the final at Melbourne Park on Sunday night, “even more than I have, maybe ever in my career. I don’t take it for granted.”
Djokovic exits Melbourne with his 10th Australian Open title and his 22nd major, which leaves him tied with Rafael Nadal for the men’s record. It didn’t take long for the talk to move to Paris.
It’s 2023 and the biggest story in men’s tennis is another looming showdown at Roland Garros between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
Aryna Sabalenka has won the 2023 Australian Open women’s singles title after coming from behind to beat Elena Rybakina in three sets. Sabalenka dropped her first set of the year in the final against the No. 22 seed, but grew in confidence in the match and held her nerve to seal her first Grand Slam singles title on her fourth championship point on Rod Laver Arena.
The No. 5 seed struggled to serve at the Australian Open a year ago; 12 months later, she has hit the zenith of her young career with a maiden major victory, rallying from a set down cement a perfect start to the season and defeat Elena Rybakina, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
“This is the best day of my life right now,” Sabalenka said in her post-match press conference.
Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova successfully defended their Australian Open women’s doubles title with a fine win over Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara on Sunday.
The Czech pair have formed a formidable partnership over the last few years, and this was their 24th straight win in women’s doubles matches at Grand Slams, meaning they now hold the titles from Melbourne, the US Open and Wimbledon.
Speaking on court afterwards, Krejcikova said: “I’m really happy that we are playing our 10th [time] here together.
Australian wild cards Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler ended their fairytale run at the Australian Open in style Saturday when they defeated Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski 6-4, 7-6(4) to capture their first Grand Slam title.
Competing in front of vocal home support, Hijikata and Kubler hammered returns and were strong on serve, winning 88 per cent (38/43) of points behind their first deliveries to become the fifth unseeded team to win the Australian Open trophy.